AWLAE Program By Prof. Julia Gitobu & Dr. Magdalena Ngaiza Who we are and what we do?
OUTLINE What is AWLAE: Background and History Goal/Vision Mission AWLAE Program Strategies Way forward for AWLAE AWLAE-net activities Contact
What is AWLAE: Background and History A African W Women L Leaders A Agriculture E - Environment
Brief History A major program of Winrock International within the Leadership Division which is now part of the Empowerment and Civic Engagement Division Launched in 1989/90 through a highly consultative process of round tables in both East and West Africa Covers Cote d evoire, Mali, Senegal, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa and Benin.
Goal/Vision Have a critical mass of trained women leaders in agriculture and environment that serve at policy level and support women farmers.
Mission Put in place gender responsive policies and practices that benefit women farmers and women professionals.
AWLAE Program Strategies Preparing professional women leaders Creating an enabling environment Sustaining mechanisms Linkages with women farmers Next generation of professional women mentoring, girl scholarship Networking
Preparing Women Leaders Increased number of women with academic credentials through graduate and post graduate scholarships Leadership for change trainings Skills training e.g. Communication, presentation, proposal writing etc. Gender training Networking
Creating an Enabling Environment Institutional gender sensitization Gender analysis Research on the status of women and factors affecting advancement.
Sustaining Mechanisms Establishment of national professional associations Involvement in local and international networks Partnerships and institutional collaborations with line ministries and research institutions agriculture, livestock, environment, forestry, energy, water and gender.
Linkages with women farmers Through technology transfer projects e.g. drip irrigation, animal traction, improved seeds, drought crops promotion, energy, energy efficient wood stoves, mushroom etc Advocacy for policy change in favour of farmers and women Advocacy for women farmers increased representation and resource allocation
Next Generation of Professional women Secondary school scholarships Mentoring Career guidance
Way forward for AWLAE The newly formation of a Pan African organization -AWLAE network Comprising of membership from professional associations formed through AWLAE The member associations operate in Benin, Cote d ivoire, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Mali, Senegal, Tanzania, and Uganda. Recruitment for South Africa, Mali, Ethiopia, Zimbabwe and others.
Cont: Way forward for AWLAE Each member organization is autonomous, legally constituted in its own country Vision: To be the leading network organization in developing outstanding women leaders in agriculture, environment, and gender in transformation of rural women in Africa Objective is to find ways of linking women and men professionals in rural development
Cont: way forward for AWLAE Mission: The main purpose of the organization is to promote agricultural productivity, advocate for women farmers rights and sustainable Human development through organizations and individuals involved in activities related to food systems, natural resource management, sustainable livelihoods, family health, leadership development and research
Cont: AWLAE-net is a successor to AWLAE which was launched by Winrock International in 1989/90.
AWLAE-net activities Institutional development and expansion Networking and advocacy Partnerships between men and women Promotion of appropriate transfer of technologies in agriculture, environment and education Activities that enhance careers of women scientists in Africa
Contact The secretariat AWLAE-net PO BOX 60745 00200 Nairobi Kenya Tel: +254 20 4453051/2/3 Email: awlaenet@winrock.or.ke
END OF PRESENTATION AND THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION.